€1m partnership between Henkel, DeRoyal, Tyndall & RCSI aims to transform compression wound therapy

Henkel is part of a consortium that expects to significantly advance the treatment of non-healing chronic wounds

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The €1M consortium will develop the next generation of smart wound care bandages.

Henkel has teamed up with researchers from Tyndall National Institute at UCC, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and partners DeRoyal Global Healthcare Solutions & Enterprise Ireland, in a €1 million partnership to  develop the next generation of compression wound care therapy.

Non-healing chronic wounds affect more than 5% of people globally, with numbers rising due to the growth of  elderly and diabetic populations. These wounds cause significant morbidity and mortality, leading to €12.5 billion in worldwide healthcare costs annually.

Modern care with compression therapy involves squeezing of the limbs using elastomeric bandages to reduce swelling and aid in the recovery of venous ulcers, deep vein thrombosis ‏(DVT) and chronic ulcers. Treatment is a manual process that requires healthcare professionals to visually inspect compression bandages to ensure the correct pressure is maintained and to frequently re-dress bandages.   

The consortium, supported by Bray design consultancy Design Partners, expects to significantly advance the treatment of non-healing chronic wounds through their joint ability to research, develop and deliver futuristic smart wound care technology with integrated intelligence and connectivity.

Henkel brings a wealth of experience providing leading bonding and adhesive solutions to prominent medical device companies to the collaboration. These innovations are rapidly driving the demand for companies that want to add smart functions into their products, offering a new level of connectivity and this is particularly true for medical solutions.

Within the current project Henkel can leverage its technologies to meet the demands and opportunities for smart wound care solutions that require integrated intelligence and connectivity. The Henkel team will support by offering its wealth of experience and know-how in tailored material needs, such as printed electronics and pressure-sensitive adhesives, but more importantly support any design requirements using these materials.  

“Printed electronics require a detailed understanding of the different components and technologies being used”, says Dr. Stijn Gillissen, Global Head of Printed Electronics at Henkel. “We believe that a partnership approach brings the value chain together to deliver a more impactful smart medical solution.”